Coburg

Brose increases growth rate

Planning for the next stage of expansion at the Berliner Ring site in Bamberg begins in 2018.

Coburg, 12-20-2017

The Brose Group increased its business volume once again in 2017 and anticipates a rise in turnover of 2.6 percent to just under 6.3 billion euros. Jürgen Otto, outgoing CEO of the Brose Group, announced this during the shareholder and advisory board meeting on 14 December in Bamberg. The executive management board estimates turnover of 9.5 billion euros by 2025. The family-owned company will invest around 1.4 billion euros between 2018 and 2020.

“Brose was able to expand its market position and grow stronger than the rest of the industry once again in 2017. We achieved the important target return to our company’s self-financing,” explained Otto. Brose turnover has grown for the eighth consecutive year since the economic crisis in 2009. All of the family-owned company’s business segments contributed to the positive development: the door systems division led from Bamberg generated 3.2 billion euros (+2.7 percent) in turnover and contributed half of overall group turnover. The worldwide business with seat systems, which is led from Coburg, increased by 1.7 percent to over two billion euros. The drives business division located in Würzburg generated over one billion euros in turnover, with growth focused on future-oriented products. Thus, turnover with mechatronic drives rose by 2.7 percent despite discontinued products. The Brose Group created around 1,000 new jobs worldwide in 2017. There are currently 25,600 people working at 60 locations in 23 countries, 8,600 of whom work in Germany.

Current trends offer opportunities

The trend in the automotive industry towards more vehicle electrification and the sustained demand for comfort and safety form a solid foundation for the Brose Group’s continued growth. “We have carved out a good position for new vehicle applications with our expertise in the combination of mechanical, electric, electronic and sensor systems. In addition to developing our own products, partnerships will also help expand our product portfolio,” emphasized Otto.

Investments on the rise

In 2017, the Brose Group spent around 525 million euros or 8 percent of its sales worldwide on research and development. At the same time, the company also invested around 400 million euros in production facilities, information technology and expanding its real estate assets. Brose will hire over 300 highly qualified employees at its Franconian sites in Coburg, Bamberg and Würzburg in the next three years in order to advance technological developments driving its planned growth.

Coburg

Brose invested roughly 50 million euros in its Coburg location during the last fiscal year. With over 3,300 direct and 2,000 indirect employees at suppliers, the mechatronics specialist is the largest industrial employer in the region. In the coming three years, investments of around 180 million euros are planned in Coburg real estate and production facilities.

Bamberg

Brose invested around 22 million euros in its Bamberg location during the last fiscal year. With 2,200 employees, the family-owned company is the second-largest industrial employer here. Around 130 million euros will be invested between 2018 and 2020 in the Bamberg area; the next stage of expansion at its Berliner Ring site is planned along with other projects.

Würzburg

Brose just received a major order for a new electric air conditioning compressor developed at the Würzburg location: the mechatronics specialist will supply more than two million systems to a premium manufacturer over a ten-year period starting in 2021. The automotive supplier invested nearly 40 million euros in its Würzburg plant in 2017. With over 1,800 employees, Brose is the largest industrial employer in the city. Around 130 million euros of the funds planned for 2018 to 2020 will be invested in Würzburg.

The adjustment technology for flexible interior usage is developed in Coburg.

Major order for the Würzburg location: the electric air conditioning compressor.